Thames Valley Over 65's

The day started well, with the sun shining and not showing any signs of dark clouds.

However, having arrived in good time for an 11am kick-off this was delayed by 40 minutes. Not a great start, plus a last minute squad member pulling out leaving our Division 4 squad with just the minimum six players, it felt like the dark clouds were begining to descend.

Our second team in Division 4 started quite well against Woodley without creating many clear cut chances and not really troubling our defence. Half way through the game though, a laspse in concentration by midfielder Andy Smith who had strayed into our box to defend a set play, resulted in a penalty being awarded. Laurence Hardwick in goal saved superbly, only fot the loose ball to somehow spin back over his legs and bobble over the line. 1-0 the final score.

This upset really set the tone for the other three games as the football Gods were certainly not shining on our us, even though we played some neat passing football out from the back with captain Steve Buckey, Ken Rose and Brian Kemp, we never really created many shooting chances for Bernie Biggerstaff up-front. We lost the remaining three games 1-0. The dark clouds had well and truly descended! So having started the day top of Division 4, we now find ourselves joint bottom! That's football.

Squad: Laurence Hardwick, Steve Buckey, Ken Rose, Brian Kemp, Andy Smith, Bernie Biggerstaff.

Our first team, who started the day bottom of Division 1 after a bad day out last time started well against top of the league, Bracknell. Both sides played some good football, but a misplaced pass from the Bracknell keeeper was quickly ceased on by Alastair Greene who made no mistake. This was just after Mick Stanbridge had rattled the bar with a great shot from distance. Its fair to say we bossed the game leaving Steve Beament in goal little to do. 1-0 the final score.

Abingdon were next up and it was a tight game of football, with Alastair Greene trying his beat to kill their keeper, first with a powerful shot that winded the poor man and then shortly afterwards, hit him in the face with another powerful shot! However, he was able to carry on and the game ended 0-0.

Highworth were our next opponents and this is always a tight and tough affair. An unbelievable shot from a tight angle from their striker put them in the lead, but from then on he never a got a touch, being expertly marshalled by the ever dependable Cliff Leat. In fact he was that well marshalled that he wanted to be replaced midway through the game. Well done Cliff.  As the game looked like ending with a loss, Mick Stanbridge pounced on a loose backpass and made no mistake. 1-1 the final score.

The final game against Cove was another tight affair with Steve Beament saving some powerful shots from distance, apart from one which he couldn't hold. Alastair Greene as always had covered every blade of 4G and was looking a bit leggy and was about to be replaced when our captain Steve Manly made the decision to keep him on as he might pop up with a goal. No sooner had this been decided when Alastair did just that, latching on to a loose ball from their defence to smash home. 1-1 the final score. With Steve Manly back on the pitch running midfield with Andy Balshaw and Lee Swales putting in a solid shift when called on, it was an improved performance from the last session. However, it still leaves us joint bottom of Division 1.

Squad: Steve Beament, Cliff Leat, Steve Manly, Andy Balshaw, Alastair Greene, Lee Swales, Mick Stanbridge

So, alot to take from this session and we look forward to improving our league positions at the next session on Tuesday 19th May.